HOK is pleased to announce the release Problem Seeking: An Architectural Programming Primer, 5th Edition (Wiley). The book, first published in 1969, has become the industry’s standard resource on the process of programming, both for architects and clients. The new edition, authored by William M. Peña and HOK’s Steven A. Parshall, features exciting and practice-tested approaches to the programming process today, with new strategies for effective group action, and new settings in which to explore programming concepts.

It is supplemented with more than 175 helpful illustrations and diagrams and provides updated technical information and faster, easier access to explanations, examples, and tools.

The first edition of Problem Seeking was based on 20 years of research and practice in architectural programming with subsequent editions evolved over the next 40 years.

Part One, written for architects, students, and for clients getting ready to start a building project, provides a primer on programming, helping readers understand one pro­gramming method. Part Two explains how to apply the method, with a user-friendly collection of definitions, examples, considerations, activities, and techniques that expand on the principles explained in the primer.

What’s new in this edition?

The primer in Part One has been simplified for ease of use.

Part Two, includes discussion of new topics that have emerged in the profession, including the role of programming when considering sustainability in the design process, and explains how technology is enabling new techniques for project delivery, team communication, and information management.

The fifth edition also explains how the role of the programmer may expand to encompass the program of requirements for the lifecycle of a building to create an extended information management role for the programmer.  

“Not only has technology improved the programmer’s ability to manage information, it is allowing new forms of interaction and collaboration among the project team,” says Steve Parshall. Tips for using advanced collaboration technologies in programming are covered in the new edition, as well.

Several HOKers contributed to the new fifth edition:

• Robin Ellerthorpe contributed a section that explains how the role of the programmer has expanded to include data management for the life cycle of a building.
• Frank Kutilek updated line items in the sections covering budget and cost estimate analysis to reflect today’s costs.
• Erik Andersen provided a view of how designers use visualization tools to develop building design concepts and to assemble space types as three-dimensional forms.
• Eberhard Laepple contributed to sections on data management, data sharing, data collection tools and techniques, and conducting virtual worksessions.
• From HOK’s Visual Communications team, Jay Dacon and Gerald Callo provided the cover art and manuscript graphics, respectively.
• Finally, HOK President Bill Hellmuth provide the Foreword for this new edition.

While the Problem Seeking® process has withstood the test of time as a powerful problem analysis method, the content and technology of architectural practice have evolved to enable programmers, the programming process and ultimately, successful building projects.

To learn more about Problem Seeking or to order a copy directly from the publisher click here.